The Takeaway: Debt Ceiling; Aging Cities; Betty Ford

Still deadlocked, despite Sunday night meeting. With three weeks to go before the government can no longer borrow money to meet its obligations, President Obama and Congressional leaders are still without an agreement on how to raise the nation’s debt ceiling limit. President Obama proposed a larger $4.2 trillion debt reduction plan. At issue: Republicans say they will not support any plan that features revenue from higher or additional taxes. And the size of the president’s plan means it can only be achieved with steep cost-cutting AND tax increases, GOP leaders say. During the 75-minute meeting, there was no specific mention of last week’s surprise report that the White House was open to making cuts in programs such as Social Security and Medicare to reach an agreement.

… We built this city. It’s not news to us, but many metropolitan areas are slowly realizing that their hip expanding neighborhoods aren’t suitable for their aging residents – who are not going anywhere, by the way. “It’s shocking how far behind we are, especially when you think about this fact – that if you make something age-friendly, that means it is going to be friendly for people of all ages, not just older adults,” said Margaret Neal of Portland State University’s Institute on Aging. …

Some health notes:FDA approves tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough combination vaccine for seniors. … People over 60 need to lift weights to maintain muscle mass. … Older women who take vitamin D3 may live longer. From Reuters: “Elderly women who take vitamin D3 supplements may have a small survival advantage over those who don’t, a new research review concludes, although they also raise their risk of kidney stones.”

… Older adults embrace co-housing. The housing alternative – where residents control the community – “could be coming of age, just as the baby boom generation begins considering its retirement living options.”

… Appreciation. A look at the life and legacy of pioneering former first lady Betty Ford.

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